Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-01090

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Solvent-enriched interface enables ductility in an ultrastrong alloy

Liu, T. ; Shi, Y. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Han, l. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Zhang, F. ; Chen, W. ; Wan, H. ; Ma, C. ; Schökel, A.Extern*DESY* ; Ma, Y.Extern* ; Wei, S.Extern* ; Pistidda, C.Extern* ; Lei, Z. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Lu, Z. (Corresponding author)

2026
Elsevier Science Amsterdam [u.a.]

This record in other databases:  

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.actamat.2025.121829  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-01090

Abstract: In metals and alloys, solute segregation at grain boundaries typically undermines cohesion and ductility. Here, we overturn this paradigm by showing that solvent Fe atoms can preferentially enrich low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) in a ferrous alloy, dramatically enhancing ductility. Cold rolling and aging generate coherent nanoprecipitates, a high dislocation density, and abundant LAGBs in an austenitic matrix, yielding an ultrahigh tensile yield strength of ∼ 1.74 GPa. Moreover, the solvent Fe enrichment at LAGBs lowers local stacking fault energy and activates austenite-to-martensite transformation under load. This transformation-induced plasticity effect stabilizes plastic flow, enabling a uniform elongation of ∼ 26.2 % despite the alloy’s exceptional strength. Our findings challenge conventional views of segregation and offer a new design strategy for ultra-strong, highly ductile alloys.

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. PETRA-D (FS-PETRA-D)
2. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)
3. Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Hereon)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
3. FS-Proposal: I-20230050 (I-20230050) (I-20230050)
4. FS-Proposal: I-20230183 (I-20230183) (I-20230183)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P02.1 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Engineering, Computing and Technology ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

---